Lewiston City Councilor Craig Saddlemire’s stainless steel water canteen goes wherever he goes. Tuesday’s inaugural ceremony was no exception.

One plastic water bottle sat in front of each of the eight School Committee members, one new mayor and five city councilors as they were sworn into office.

Saddlemire, the 28-year-old councilor for Ward 5, drank from a reusable bottle. 

“Anyone who has served on a committee with me would be quite used to seeing it,” he said. “I think the public water system we have is great and I am happy to drink Lewiston tap water.”

Saddlemire said that perhaps the juxtaposition of his reusable canteen on center stage with 20 disposable bottles will lead people to think about the costs and benefits of water privatization.

“I’m always happy to engage people in those conversations, but in this case, I was not trying to make a statement. I was just trying to stay hydrated and not mess up my oath of office.”

— Daryn Slover